Editing MBTA Commuter Rail (section)

==== COVID-19 pandemic ====
Weekday service was substantially cut on March 17, 2020, due to reduced ridership during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-03-16/mbta-announces-schedule-revisions-take-effect-tuesday-march-17 |title=MBTA Announces Schedule Revisions to Take Effect Tuesday, March 17 |date=March 16, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2020-06-16 |archive-date=2020-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612103803/https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-03-16/mbta-announces-schedule-revisions-take-effect-tuesday-march-17 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 22, service was increased to 85% of normal weekday levels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-06/2020-06-15-fmcb-F-report-from-deputy-general-manager.pdf |title=Report from the Deputy General Manager |date=June 15, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2020-06-16 |archive-date=2020-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617022958/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-06/2020-06-15-fmcb-F-report-from-deputy-general-manager.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Changes effective November 2 reduced peak service and increased off-peak service, providing more consistent midday headways on some lines; Foxboro pilot service was suspended.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-09/2020-09-14-fmcb-K-fall-commuter-rail-schedules-accessible.pdf |title=Fall 2020 Commuter Rail Schedule Changes |date=September 14, 2020 |first=Rob |last=DiAdamo |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2020-09-14 |archive-date=2020-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020053755/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-09/2020-09-14-fmcb-K-fall-commuter-rail-schedules-accessible.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2020, as part of service cuts during the pandemic, the MBTA proposed to close six low-ridership stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020-11-09-fmcb-N-forging-ahead-service-scenarios-accessible.pdf |title=Forging Ahead: Scenario and Service Planning |page=21 |date=November 9, 2020 |first1=Laurel |last1=Paget-Seekins |first2=Kat |last2=Benesh |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2021-06-03 |archive-date=2021-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511001406/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020-11-09-fmcb-N-forging-ahead-service-scenarios-accessible.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 14, the MBTA Board voted to enact a more limited set of cuts, including indefinitely closing five stations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/12/14/mbta-control-board-approves-service-cuts |title=MBTA Control Board Votes To Scale Back Bus, Train And Ferry Service |newspaper=WBUR |date=December 14, 2020 |first=Zeninjor |last=Enwemeka |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126175335/https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/12/14/mbta-control-board-approves-service-cuts |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020-12-14-fmcb-F-forging-ahead-service-proposal.pdf |page=17 |title=Forging Ahead: Service Proposal |date=December 14, 2020 |first1=Laurel |last1=Paget-Seekins |first2=Kat |last2=Benesh |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2021-06-03 |archive-date=2021-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429044405/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020-12-14-fmcb-F-forging-ahead-service-proposal.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> That day, temporary reduced schedules were again put into place, with four of the five stations ({{bts|Hastings}}, {{bts|Silver Hill}}, {{bts|Prides Crossing}}, and {{bts|Plimptonville}}) not served.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-12-10/commuter-rail-temporarily-operate-reduced-service-schedule-starting-december-14 |title=Commuter Rail to Temporarily Operate Reduced Service Schedule Starting December 14 |date=December 10, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2021-06-03 |archive-date=2021-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611015501/https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-12-10/commuter-rail-temporarily-operate-reduced-service-schedule-starting-december-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 23, 2021, reduced schedules based on the December 14 vote went into place, with no weekend service on seven lines.<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-01-07/commuter-rail-schedule-changes-approved-december-take-effect-january-23 |title=Commuter Rail Schedule Changes Approved in December Take Effect January 23 |date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2021-06-03 |archive-date=2021-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626192645/https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-01-07/commuter-rail-schedule-changes-approved-december-take-effect-january-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> Service changes on April 5, 2021, increased midday service on most lines as part of a transition to a [[regional rail]] model.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.keoliscs.com/news/reminder-spring-2021-commuter-rail-schedules-take-effect-april-5/ |title=Reminder: Spring 2021 Commuter Rail Schedules Take Effect April 5 |publisher=Keolis Commuter Services |date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603210850/https://www.keoliscs.com/news/reminder-spring-2021-commuter-rail-schedules-take-effect-april-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Weekend service on the seven lines resumed on July 3, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-05/2021-05-24-fmcb-10-commuter-rail-performance-update.pdf |title=Commuter Rail Performance Update |page=7 |date=May 24, 2021 |first=Ryan |last=Coholan |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=2021-06-03 |archive-date=2021-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524122114/https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-05/2021-05-24-fmcb-10-commuter-rail-performance-update.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Ridership dropped substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with daily boardings just 12,800 during the first quarter of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2021 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP REPORT First Quarter 2021 |url=https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-Q1-Ridership-APTA.pdf |website=APTA Ridership Report}}</ref> Ridership rose to 47,100 average weekday boardings in the first quarter of 2022, and 85,000 (69% of 2018 ridership) in October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2022 |title=PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP REPORT First Quarter 2022 |url=https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-Q1-Ridership-APTA.pdf |website=APTA Ridership Report}}</ref><ref name=oct2022ridership /> Limited Foxboro service resumed in May 2022; full pilot service began that September.<ref name=may23>{{cite press release |url=https://www.keoliscs.com/news/mbta-commuter-rail-spring-summer-schedule-to-take-effect-may-23/ |title=MBTA Commuter Rail Spring/Summer Schedule to Take Effect May 23 |date=May 10, 2022 |publisher=Keolis Commuter Services}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-08-24/foxboro-weekday-commuter-rail-service-pilot-start-september-12 |title=Foxboro Weekday Commuter Rail Service Pilot to Start September 12 |date=August 24, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The service was made permanent effective October 2, 2023.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-09-28/foxboro-station-commuter-rail-pilots-success-leads-permanent-weekday-service |title=Foxboro Station, Commuter Rail Pilot's Success Leads to Permanent Weekday Service Beginning October 2 |date=September 28, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

In April 2024, the MBTA extended the Keolis contract by one year to June 30, 2027, at which time a successor contract will take effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2024-04/3.%20%2BDRAFT%202%20and%20FINAL_CR%20Contract%20Extension_4.25.24%20Board%20Meeting%20v3.pdf |title=Commuter Rail Operating Agreement: Keolis One-Year Extension Option |first=Michael |last=Muller |date=April 25, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://commonwealthbeacon.org/transportation/mbta-extends-keolis-commuter-rail-contract-again/ |title=MBTA extends Keolis commuter rail contract again |first=Bruce |last=Mohl |date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |newspaper=Commonwealth Beacon}}</ref> Silver Hill station reopened on November 18, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/batch_7237/2024-11-18-cr-fall-winter-fitchburg-line-schedule.pdf |title=Fitchburg Line Fall/Winter Schedule |date=November 18, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> In December 2024, the MBTA indicated that the next contract may be split into separate contracts for train maintenance, infrastructure maintenance, operations, and dispatching.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2024-12/8.%20Final_%20Regional%20Rail%20RFI%20Update_MM.pdf |title=Regional Rail RFI Update |date=December 19, 2024 |first=Mike |last=Muller |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

The [[South Coast Rail]] project extended service to the South Coast cities of [[Taunton, Massachusetts|Taunton]], [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]], and [[New Bedford, Massachusetts|New Bedford]]. A full planning process was held from 1990 until its suspension in 2002. Planning restarted in 2007, with environmental documentation completed in August 2013. Plans were modified into two phases in 2017 due to an increase in costs.<ref name="sharp">{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2017/06/16/sharp-differences-over-latest-plan-for-south-coast-rail/Vlmt4rC3DXy8Wo5gIJWLYI/story.html |title=Sharp differences over latest plan for South Coast Rail |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 16, 2017 |first=John |last=Laidler |access-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618072057/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2017/06/16/sharp-differences-over-latest-plan-for-south-coast-rail/Vlmt4rC3DXy8Wo5gIJWLYI/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Phase I construction to run diesel service as an extension of the [[Middleborough/Lakeville Line]] via the [[Middleboro Secondary]] took place from 2020 to 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/2024/06/13/mbta-ceo-south-coast-rail-delayed-to-may-2025-fare-unveiled/74092923007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614021705/https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/2024/06/13/mbta-ceo-south-coast-rail-delayed-to-may-2025-fare-unveiled/74092923007/ |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |title='MBTA owes this region an apology': South Coast Rail start is delayed another year |first=Dan |last=Medeiros |newspaper=The Herald News |date=June 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-06-14/mbta-general-manager-provides-update-progress-south-coast-rail-project-milestone |title=MBTA General Manager Provides Update on Progress of South Coast Rail Project, Milestone Reached with New Testing Phase |date=June 14, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Service began on March 24, 2025.